Applied Economics Major

Overview

The Applied Economics major is designed to give you a solid foundation in economics and in how it is applied in the real world to improve people's lives. Core courses provide training in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. Additional courses focus on environmental and resource economics, international and development economics, agricultural economics, and the economics of the public sector.

The Applied Economics major gives you plenty of flexibility. You will have enough free electives to complete a minor that complements and strengthens your Applied Economics major. For example, if you are interested in environmental and resource economics, you may be interested in a minor either in Environmental Science, Policy and Management or Sustainability Studies (or both!). If you are interested in agricultural economics, you may want to pursue a minor in Agronomy or Animal Science. Interested in development? Try the minor in International Agriculture. These and other minors will give you a deep understanding of areas where economics can be fruitfully applied to identify, analyze, and solve pressing problems.

You may want to use your free electives to pursue additional skills in economic analysis, and this is possible within the Department of Applied Economics. With careful choices in your first few years, you will be able to take graduate-level courses in your senior year.

Careers

Students majoring in Applied Economics develop strong critical thinking skills, data analysis proficiency, and the ability to communicate their ideas in writing. Our students have pursued careers in government and in the private sector using their B.S. degrees. Others have pursued professional or graduate training in economics, law, management, or public policy.

Students interested in environmental and resource economics may look to careers in environmental consulting, project management, resources policy advocacy, or resource management. Students interested in agricultural economics may consider commodity price analysis, financial asset valuation, or strategic planning. Students focusing on international development economics may be interested in helping governments decide how to provide effective development assistance.

With a solid foundation in economic thinking, good quantitative skills, and demonstrated ability to think critically and communicate effectively, students graduating with an Applied Economics major are attractive to both employers and to graduate and professional schools.

Requirements

If you were admitted to a degree program in Fall 2013 or later, you will follow these revised requirements. If you were admitted to a degree program before Fall 2013, go to the pre-fall 2013 requirements.